Page 30 of Sultry Nights

Her dad turned to the left and pulled up in front of the bakery. "Why don't you come on over for supper tonight? I'll grill us some steaks and we can sit and visit."

Her heartbeat sped up. She didn't want to lie to her parents about anything. Especially in light of all they were once again doing for her.

"I can't Dad. I have plans, and things to get ready for tomorrow. There's a fishing tournament in town and I have to bake additional buns and bread for the Sandbar. How about another night?"

"That sounds good, sweetheart."

Hanna glanced around the square at all the buildings. This had been home for so many years and while there was some comfort in being back, she kind of felt like a stranger once again.

So many new people here she didn't know, but she was going to remedy that. She was going to get to know people. She needed support around this town in case Isaac decided to come here.

And she had a date tonight. Time to get her head on straight and enjoy herself.

16

Quinn helped Hanna into his truck, happy he'd run it through the car wash in town and cleaned it up. He practically strutted around the front of the truck, his chest was puffed out slightly. His grin was so large he felt his cheeks tighten as he climbed inside.

Hanna chuckled. "You seem quite happy."

"I am happy. I have a date with a beautiful woman, and I found out today the Army has accepted my offer."

Hanna's smile lit up the truck. "Congratulations. That's wonderful." Her face turned to his. Those captivating blue eyes had him mesmerized. The adorable dimples in her cheeks begged for attention too. He stared into her eyes unabashedly as his heartbeat increased.

His smile grew. "Would you like to go see it?"

"Really? Yes. I'd love that."

He chuckled and pulled away from the curb in front of the bakery. His heart beat so quickly he struggled to breathe. She was intoxicating.

The town square was a one-way road forcing all vehicles to enter to the right and circle around. He drove by the courthouse, then rounded the corner and passed by the Law Office, Hair Salon, then his construction office. Jared's truck was parked in front. Jared was hauling flooring out of the front door. Quinn slowed but didn't honk or make any comment.

Hanna chuckled, "Isn't that Jared? Oh, that's your office, right?"

Quinn nodded. "Yep that's my office, and I don't know what Jared's doing with that flooring. I just ordered it for a big job across town."

Hanna shrugged. "Well, he's a good kid. I'm sure he's just helping out."

Quinn nodded. "He is a good kid. I'll touch base with him tomorrow. It's nothing to worry about tonight."

He continued around the square and turned right on Main Street. They had a great town here. He'd always loved that the businesses were kept up. And he enjoyed living here. It didn't hurt the weather was great, too, and frankly, it was home. As they drove past the Canning Vet Clinic, Shannon Canning was outside helping a pup into a car. He tapped the horn quickly and waved. Shannon waved in return.

He turned to Hanna. "Do you know Shannon Canning? She's quite a bit younger but her family owns the Canning Cattle Ranch out of town."

Hanna nodded. "Oh, well, I remember them from back in the day."

"Shannon's now a veterinarian and owns the vet clinic."

"Oh, that's so awesome."

"She's doing a wonderful job there, and she's still the vet at the ranch, too."

Hanna chuckled. "She's a busy girl. I think Mom and Dad told me she got married a while back."

Quinn chuckled, "Yeah they got married. Then they got divorced, and oddly enough they're getting married again."

"To each other?"

He chuckled, "Yep to each other."

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